Yesterday R2K launched Big Brother Exposed – stories of activists who have been spied on and harassed by state intelligence. Below is a summary of news coverage. Download the report here.

Watch footage of the report’s launch from ANN7:

Hear the hour-long discussion of the report’s findings on Kaya FM:

[The report] says the State Security Agency has exceeded its mandate by spying on activists and those who work with communities. Behind the “state paranoia”, says Right2Know, are allegations that the overthrow of the government is being planned at gatherings of non-governmental organisations.”

The Right2Know campaign has collated stories of state security surveillance of activists and unionists, which it believes is aimed at intimidating community organisers from fighting for service delivery, among others.”

Stories in the handbook are examples of what many people expect of the State Security Agency and Crime Intelligence: clumsy attempts to monitor organisations and individuals seen as threatening to the political status quo. Alone, the stories don’t mean much to those of us already cynical about the freedom allowed to “opposition” activists. Together they chart a dangerous trajectory.”

Kwezilomso Mbandazayo of the United Front said it was important to expose state violence against citizens. She said the increase in spying on organisations showed they were doing something right and that government was scared. Bhayiza Miya of the Thembelihle Crisis Committee said he had been harassed by cops many times, and a number of people were paid to spy on him. “We march for toilets and the next thing my house is raided,” he said.”

We need to look more seriously at this issue of surveillance because it is a form of violence that doesn’t leave bruises and it doesn’t leave broken bodies. But it’s still an extreme abuse of people’s rights and can lead to restriction on rights to freedom of expression and the right to organise.”

R2K spokesman Murray Hunter says electronic surveillance happens, but is almost impossible to detect. He notes the fact that activists are often physically surveyed points to electronic eavesdropping also taking place, adding this is a growing concern among communities. The most high profile incident of phone-tapping took place in 2010 when Sunday Times reporter Mzilikazi wa Afrika’s communications were intercepted by the police on the pretence of gun-running.”